Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at a press conference in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012. Ahmadinejad blamed the steep drop in Iran's currency Tuesday to "psychological pressures" linked to Western sanctions over Tehran's nuclear program. The remarks were part of his attempt to deflect criticism from political rivals that his government's policies also have contributed to the nosedive of the Iranian rial, which has lost more than half its value against the U.S. dollar this year and has sharply pushed up costs for many imported goods. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) less